Accounting

About

Delivered at Queen’s Campus Stockton, the MSc Accounting programme is designed to help prepare you to compete in an increasingly international job market.

Launched in 2015, our innovative MSc Accounting programme sits within Durham’s portfolio of Masters programmes. A one year full-time programme, it provides an opportunity for you to develop an in-depth understanding of the theory and practice of accounting as well as the critical thinking skills so valued by employers. The MSc in Accounting covers key accounting topics including financial statements and their preparation, the practical limitations of financial reporting, and the regulatory framework and its complexities.

ACCA Academic Professional Partnership Programme

A key feature of the programme is the ACCA AcademicProfessional Partnership Programme (APPP) from the Association of Chartered Certified Accountants (ACCA). Eligible students, alongside studying for their Masters degree, have the option to register with the ACCA for the APPP. This pathway provides a recognised level of tuition towards two separate Professional Level papers, P1 and P2 of the ACCA qualification.

Please note: Students who have successfully passed ACCA’s Fundamental level exams, F1-F9, or have exemptions from the Fundamental level (in addition to meeting Durham University’s normal entry requirements for Postgraduate programmes) are eligible to apply for this pathway

To achieve your qualification you will need to successfully complete eight core modules, and a dissertation or business project. Should you choose to study towards the ACCA Academic Professional Partnership Programme you will also be required to sit two Professional Level papers, P1 and P2 of the ACCA qualification.

International opportunities

We’re proud of our strong international connections. Helping you get an inside perspective on global business is a key part of the programme. That’s why you’ll have the opportunity to go on the optional International Study Tour to a European destination in March/April. This self-funded, one-week programme is a great way to immerse yourself in the country’s business environment, providing the chance to make new contacts and helping you stand out in the competitive jobs market.

Career Support

Whatever your specialist management interests, you’ll find our careers team is one of the most useful resources to support you on your way to the top. Now more than ever, it’s the skills you’re able to demonstrate in addition to your academic abilities that will make you shine in a fiercely competitive jobs market.

That’s why our facilities and services are designed to complement your course and help you develop essential professional and practical skills – from CV writing and interview techniques to time management and communication.

Develop your career

We work in partnership with the Careers, Employability and Enterprise Centre to connect you with events, organisations or individuals to help kick-start your career. You can also take advantage of one-to-one appointments with a specialist Masters Careers Advisor to help you with specific issues, from finding a route into your career to applying for your dream role.

Sector specific presentations

These Career Insight sessions are delivered by specialists from within the industry. Subjects range from ‘Banking in Challenging Times’ to ‘Life in the Bio Pharmaceutical Industry’.

Leadership development

Our Leading Edge Programme has been designed alongside our core academic programme to help you develop the particular interpersonal skills employers in your chosen field are looking for. Focusing on the demands of global recruiters, and feedback from alumni, the programme has been developed in partnership with programme directors and leading training partners.

Throughout the year, you will be able to take advantage of a wide range of workshops and events, both internal and external, to further develop your skills and widen your networks. Some examples of previous workshops include ‘Workplace Survival Skills’, ‘Building Reputation’ and ‘Emotional Intelligence for Leadership Success.’ Business School events include the Durham Speaker Series and the Leading Edge conference.

International opportunities

We’re proud of our strong international connections. Helping you get an inside perspective on global business is a key part of the programme. That’s why you’ll have the opportunity to go on the optional International Study Tour to a European destination in March/April. This self-funded, one-week programme is a great way to immerse yourself in the country’s business environment, providing the chance to make new contacts and helping you stand out in the competitive jobs market.

If you are interested in carrying out research or a business project in an international location for your dissertation, we may also be able to connect you with our international partner institutions.

Online resources

Through the Leading Edge Programme you will have access to a huge range of resources. Our many online resources include global job boards and international recruiter databases, newsrooms, video library and an annual career webinar series.

Alumni career support

You can continue to make the most of our specialist career development advice after you graduate. From coaching with our Masters Careers Advisors, to workshops in London, India or China. You’ll also be able to attend online webinars and access the online career resources.

Support for International Students

If you’re an international student interested in working in the UK after your studies, the careers team works closely with Durham University's Student Immigration & Financial Support Office to provide you with information related to immigration. Their advisers are dedicated to helping our students understand the requirements and restrictions of their visas during their studies and can provide limited advice on post-study visa requirements.

Content

Core and elective modules

1. Accounting Theory
2. Auditing and Assurance Services
3. Contemporary Issues in Accounting and Taxation
4. Corporate Governance
5. Corporate Reporting
6. Financial Planning and Control
7. Financial Statement Analysis
8. Research Methods & Methodology in Accounting

Dissertation/Business Project

In the third term you will complete a 12,000 word dissertation which could be a specific project with an organisation. Supervised by a faculty member with relevant experience, you’ll investigate in greater detail a subject that you’ve already studied as part of your programme.

This is an opportunity for you to develop your business insight and present your analysis and ideas in a scholarly and professional manner; combine critical discrimination and a sense of proportion in evaluating evidence and the opinions of others.

Adding to your experience

As part of your programme, you have the opportunity to enjoy presentations by academics and practitioners within your chosen area of interest. Past speakers have included representatives of major global multinationals and leading academics, providing an ideal opportunity to gain practical knowledge and progressive insight.

Subject requirements, level and grade

In addition to satisfying the University’s general entry requirements, please note:

• You will need the equivalent of a UK first or upper second class honours degree. 
• You will need to complete an online application form.
• To support your online application form, you will need to provide the following documents.
• Two academic references using our standard form Official transcript of marksCopy of degree certificate (if available)
• Copy of English test results (if available).

You can either upload your supporting documents with your online application or email or fax them to the Postgraduate Admissions Office using the contact details below.

ACCA Pathway

Additionally, for students considering the ACCA pathway you will be asked to provide evidence of your eligibility to study. You will need to have passed ACCA's Fundamental level exams, F1-F9, or have exemptions from the Fundamental level.

Preferred Tests:

a. IELTS: 6.5 (no component under 6.0)

b. TOEFL iBT (internet based test): 92 (no component under 23)

c. Cambridge Proficiency (CPE): Grade C

d. Cambridge Advanced (CAE): Grade A

e. Cambridge IGCSE First Language English at Grade C or above [not normally acceptable for students who require a Tier 4 student visa]

f. Cambridge IGCSE English as a Second Language at Grade B or above [not normally acceptable for students who require a Tier 4 student visa]

g. GCSE English Language at grade C or above

h. Pearson Test of English (overall score 62 (with no score less than 56 in each component))

Alternative accepted tests when those listed in a.-h. above are unavailable to the applicant (if the applicant requires a Tier 4 visa to study, advice on the suitability of these alternatives must be sought from the Student Recruitment and Admissions Office):

i. Certificate of Attainment (Edexcel)

j. GCE A-levels (AQA, CIE, Edexcel, CCEA, OCR, WJEC) at grade C or above in an essay based, humanities or social science subject from the following list: History, Philosophy, Government and Politics, English Language, English Literature, Geography, Religious Studies, Economics, Business Studies, Law and Sociology. Modern or Classical Languages are not acceptable in meeting this requirement.

k. International Baccalaureate with a minimum of grade 5 in Standard Level English or a minimum of grade 5 if taken at Higher Level.

l. NEAB (JMB) Test in English (Overseas)

m. Singapore Integrated Programme (SIPCAL) at grade C or above in an essay based, humanities or social science subject from the following list: History, Philosophy, Government and Politics, English Language, English Literature, Geography, Religious Studies, Economics, Business Studies, Law and Sociology. Modern or Classical Languages are not acceptable in meeting this requirement.

n. Singapore Polytechnic Diploma and Advanced Diplomas at GPA 3.0 or above

o. WAEC and NECO Grade B3 or above from Nigeria and Ghana

ACCA pathway

This Masters programme provides an opportunity for students who have successfully passed ACCA's Fundamental s exams (papers F1-F9) or have exemptions from the Fundamentals exams from a previous qualification.

The main benefit of this Masters programme is that while you are studying at Durham University Business School, you can also study towards two ACCA Professional-level exams. They are: P1 Governance, Risk and Ethics and P2 Corporate Reporting.

This is an ideal programme to choose if you are looking to pursue a career in accountancy, finance and business which will give you a strong advantage when entering an increasingly competitive employment market.

There are many benefits to completing the MSc Accounting - Academic Professional Partnership Programme, including:

• studying at Durham University Business School, a top UK Russell Group University
• a one- year Masters degree programme that has been designed to include two of ACCA's Professional level papers
• a pathway specifically created for progression from BSc to MSc Accounting, while also completing ACCA Professional level papers
• studying within an international context gives you a competitive edge on a global level , will help increase your employability which is attractive to employers around the world.

ACCA exemptions and exam fees will be waived for the first 25 eligible students accepted onto the programme, upon sitting Professional exams: P1 and P2 during 2015/16 only.

The MSc Accounting programme is an ACCA Academic Professional Partnership Programme.